Political Campaigns going digital this elections

Young and active Indian social media users are adding a whole new dimension to the social debates around political developments. Political parties are spending enormously to woo them and make them their supporters. However, how to target the right audience as per their political alignments and user profile is the biggest challenge in front of political parties.

Showcasing how AAP with the help of a unique concept by IITians is truly democratizing the Indian elections like never before. For the very first time that the Indian electorate can ask the candidate's plans for their constituency, cross examine them directly at any and every moment of time and not just hear 1 sided speeches.

Frankly.me has 48 AAP members on their platform and they are actively answering the queries from general public. Apart from AAP members, Frankly.me also has Ajay Makhen and Kiran Bedi with them from the old school.

Nikunj Jain, Co-founder, Frankly.me commented, “The team Frankly.me is really proud and happy with the recent advancements in the platform and it’s steadily rising popularity with the empanelment of noted public figures including politicians. With Frankly.me, these personalities intend to understand the masses and their expectations better. This facilitates them with first-hand information directly from the common people and gives them insights which are more perceptive.”

Here, political parties are going digital using mobile applications for video chat with the masses though Frankly me. The application is for Android and iOS users. Targeted at empowering common people with the ability to have one to one conversations with anyone in the limelight- be it celebrities, politicians, entrepreneurs, IAS officers or sports personalities, it is open to users all over the world. The funding will be used to focus on India for the next 15 to 18 months and towards overcoming the challenge of expanding in a market with more than 20 officially recognized languages.

Taking advantage of the country’s fast-growing mobile penetration rate, the platform intends to impact the Delhi elections this year to gain more traction. Currently, it boasts of having a cluster of noted public figures including politicians like Arvind Kejriwal, the ex-chief minister of Delhi, Yogendra Yadav and Kiran

Bedi.

Exposure from public figures on the platform has resulted in 1,000 to 2,000 new users each day. At present, it competes directly with formidable rivals like Twitter and Youtube. The factor that gives it an edge is that it enables two-way communication easily. The Questions submitted are up-voted by other users, so the most popular ones are seen and hopefully answered. Frankly’s interface also enables in-depth discussions to take place.

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Narendra Modi is the leader of BJP’s Campaign Committee

The senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) L K Adavni has reportedly given his consent to appoint the Guajarat Chief Minister Narenda Modi as the leader of party’s campaign committee. Now it is clear that the party will prepare its campaign for the Goa elections under the leadership of Narenda Modi.

Recently, Advani had praised the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan as "humble man" in a meeting. Since then there were many reports in the media over his statement comparing the Narenda Modi and Shivraj Singh Chouhan. In his speech Advani had praised the work carried out by the chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Narenda Modi could be the party’s fist choice to project him as the Prime Minister candidate but so far there is no official version from the party yet. It is believed that the party has many senior leaders in the race for top job, and name would be finalized before the election. The party has been projecting the candidate before the election and it may follow its tradition for the 2014 general elections too.

At this time the party said to be preparing resolution and campaign strategy for the Goa elections. According to media reports, the president of BJP Rajnath Singh had called on Advani to discuss parties strategy over the Goa election.

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BJP expels Ram Jethmalani for Six Years

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expelled the senior leader Ram Jetmalani for six year for various reasons on Tuesday. The president of BJP Rajnath Singh took the decision to expel Jetmalani for six years from the party.  

  

According to media reports, the parliamentary board of BJP had taken unanimous decision over this.

Reacting over the expulsion from the party, Ram Jetmalani told media that he would continue his fight against corruption in the party. He is the currently a member of Rajya Sabha. 

Jetmalani had raised the corruption issue in the party and opposed the second term for the then party president Nitin Gadkari. It is noteworthy that many corruption charges were reportedly levelled against Nitin Gadkari, which said to be as the major cause of not getting elected for the second term as Party President. 

Due to the corruption issue only the BJP recently lost its only government in the southern India – Karnataka in the assembly elections. The BJP is gearing up for the mega polls for 2014 and might be trying to sort out the internal differences by taking some core decisions. And expulsion of Jetmalani was believed to be one of the toughest decision for the party. 

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Changing Political Values in India?

With the nation is gearing up for the next general elections in 2014, the values of political or politics have been changing rapidly.

The issue based politics has been the heart of Indian politics in past, but some of the issues might force to change the Indian politics completely.

The issue like women security and gang-rape are few examples from many issues in India; those could stain the India politics.

Next comes the issues of corruption and black money hoarded in Swiss bank, these are major issues that India is witnessing today.

Few more major issues in India are farmers’ suicide and development in agriculture sector. The big question is, how these issued would be raised by the political parties?

Voters would like to know how their leader reacts to these issues and what suggestion they have to represent them.

The issue based politics has been the at the core, and the major issues are sure going to decide the fate of many political leaders in forth coming election and that is for sure.

In 2012, people backed the anti-corruption movement, and now that voters are aware not to elect corrupt leaders.

Local issues have also major role in deciding the fate of political leaders in the next election in 2014.

These issues may be considered as prime in the manifesto of political parties for 2014 general elections.

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Political Scenario for 2014 Lok Sabha Elections

Now the cards are clear for 2014 mega battle in the country, which is the biggest festival for the political parties. The much awaited General Elections are going to happen in the next year, and a year is very less time for political parties for their preparations for this mega event.

The major political parties in India – Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party, are ready to jump into the action. It’s now clear that Rahul Gandhi, who has been promoted to Vice President of the party, is going to lead the party for the election.

Even the senior leader Kamal Nath told media that he would like to see Rahul Gandhi as prime ministeria; candidate and whole party men would love to have him as Prime Minister.

Rahul Gandhi is the Prime Ministerial candidate for the Congress Party, and its allies might not have any objection with the decision.

The second largest party in India, BJP, there are many front runners for the Prime Ministerial candidate. But Namo.. Narenda Modi, the leader from Gujarat, is the front runner. The recent campaign in Delhi, is enough to project Modi as PM candidate.

However, it is not official that, BJP to have Narendra Modi as Prime ministerial candidate. There are concerns as well with-in the party and in the NDA parties. One of the parties in NDA coalition, Shiv Sena has demanded declaration of the PM candidate from the BJP.

For BJP it would a big concern to maintain support of NDA parties as post election it is the coalition government to be formed. A single party might not get the complete majority to form the government at center.

Any strong opposition could force the BJP to find the best candidate to project as PM candidate, who could help the party to get maximum seats in Lok Sabha election in 2014 and win the confidence of NDA parties.

The role of regional parties would be vital in 2014 Lok Sabha election, as single party might not get the 2/3rd majority to form the government. There are two biggest alliances in India – UPA and NDA.

But the parties like BSP, SP, AIDMK, DMK, TMC, BJD, CPI(M) will be in king maker role for 2014 elections. Among these parties some are in the government and some other supporting outside. It is also clear the equation for 2014 are sure to change and regional parties will chose the alliance as per the victory and opportunity.

Uttar Pradesh seats are going to decide the fate of the parties in the Lok Sabha as it has maximum Lok Sabha constituencies. All the parties have been gearing up the election 2014, but it also big occasion for the voters to franchise their right to vote in choosing right candidate to the Parliament.

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Hate Speech in Indian Politics

Hate speech in Indian political system is common and everyday you may come across any such statements. Politicians make such speeches, which could bring them into limelight and the ultimate aim to reach position.

There are several instances of hate speech in past few months, and some of them convicted too. Let's not count the speeches rather focus on why such hate speech campaign is going on.

In Indian political scenario, speech has its not prominence, why not who like a leader with loud voice. A political leader must have good voice to appeal his voters for his/her party and his/her  candidature.

Politicians those have been making hate speech know their trump card very well, when to go for it and how to cash the situation.

Now the point is, will India going to see a time where the political parties and the leaders might not favor the theme of 'hate speech'.

For media there is ethics, they will not sensationalize certain issue for the profit, but there any such provision in the by-law of political parties that they would not favor the 'hate speech'.

The ultimate loss due the such 'hate speeches' is the diversity, there was no unity at all among the people supporting various political parties.  It has been creating permanent gap between many communities of United India.

An appeal, please do not make any 'Hate Speech' it is dividing us in the international scenario.

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2014 Election: Team Anna Factor

With the Gandhian leader - Anna Hazare's declaring to form a party for the election in 2014 in India, there would some changes in the equation in the politics. People of the country those supported the fight against corruption, black-money, Jan Lok Pal Bill, they would certainly would stand by with the decision, no doubt in that.

The election in 2012 will be interesting one, as according to L K Advani's prediction, chances of a leader from other than BJP and Congress are more. And the entry of Anna Hazare into active politics and people's voice against corruption would have some major impact on the political equations though.

In the 2nd term of the UPA government which has many problems like - inflation, corruption, to solve and only two years left to complete the task. In 2014 elections may the voters monitor the report card of the UPA's second term of administration. And strong campaign by the team Anna would bring some major changes in the wining constituencies number of all the parties not only the UPA parties.

Another important thing about the team Anna is that they have the cyber tool, their active campaign on social media and social networking sites would also bring some changes in the mind of the voters. In the age of cyber communication, a message on Facebook could bring a revolution, and that was happened when Anna sat on fasting for the first time for Jan Lok Pal.

Whatever the party Anna may chose to make, but certainly he is going to change election equation in 2014.

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Kalam not to contest in Prez Election

The former President of India A P J Abdul Kalam announced that he would not be contesting the presidential elections. With the announcement from the former president, the presidential election in India got another u turn.

After Kalam's denial, it would be interesting to see the NDA and Trinamool Congress parties agenda for the suitable candidate to stand against the UPA's candidate Pranab Mukherjee. The NDA and Mamata Banerjee may consider the former Speaker P A Sangma as their candidate for presidential polls in India.

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Who will be the next President of India?

By Neelakantha Achary

The question is all over that who will be next president of India republic. Congress party will have set of names to consider, the consent of member of parliaments is vital to decide.

However, the parties and their stand will finally stamp on name for the post of President of India, the highest position in Indian republic. According to some media reports, the former President of India, Dr. A P J Kalam could be the next present, provided getting consent from all the parties in Parliament.

The current macro economic problems, political position, recent election results will also play the vital role in determining the best candidate for the high position election. Majority is the key, no doubt in that, however, it also depends on the ruling party and its stand, as it has maximum number of MPs.

The Left and other regional parties might stand unite to support on particular candidate, which could also be a big factor to decide the next President of India.

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Separate Telangana state is inevitable: Sushma

Plitical News: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj said in Lok Sabha on Thursday that the BJP would fight for separate statehood for Telangana and also appealed people of Telengana no to commit suicide, according to media reports.

Sushma said that the formation of Telengana was inevitable. One more youth ended his life in the last couple of days demanding for separate statehood to Telengana.

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Bribery Controversy: Defence Minister Speaks in Rajya Sabha

India News: The Defence Minister AK Anthony on Tuesday said in Rajya Sabha that the Amry Chief General VK Singh had brought the bribery issue to his attention. He also cleared that he asked him to take further action but Singh did not want to take the matter further.

In Parliament, the day was filled with chaos and activities, as the Congress party has moved breach of privilege notice against Team Anna in the Lok Sabha. And in Rajya Sabha the defence minister made statement over the current burning top of bribery issue that was offered to Amy Chief General.

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2012 Assembly Elections results, SP Shines in UP

The assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Manipur, Uttarakhand and Goa were out. Samajwadi Party got the majority to form the government winning 224 assembly seats out of 403 total seats.

In Uttar Pradesh, BSP won 80 seats, BJP won 47, Congress ally 38 seats and other won 14 seats out of total 403 seats. The strategy of Samajwadi Party under the leadership of Mulayam Sing and Alhilesh Yadav won the maximum seat and have comfortable majority to form the government.

In Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and BJP won 68 seats out of total 117 assembly seats, while Congress party won 46 seats and other won 3 seats.

In Manipur, its time for Congress to cheer as it won 42 assembly seats out total 60 seats. Okram Ibobi Singh is all set to get third term in Manipur. TMC won 7, MCP won 5, NPF won 4, NCP won 1 and others got 1 seat.

In Uttarakhand, very tough contest between Congress and BJP including their allies, as the Congress coalition won 32 seats and BJP coalition won 31 out of total 70 assembly seats, while others won 7 seats. Congress and coalition may got the support of the independent MLAs to form the government.

In Goa, BJP-MGP coalition 24 seats out of 40 total assembly seats, which is comfortable majority to form the government there. BJP alone won 21 seats, Congress coalition won 9, UGDP coalition won 2 seats and others got 5 seats in Goa.

The assembly election results to have impact on the next Lok Sabha election in 2014.

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Politically Correct: Corruption Free India

Political News: Team Anna's movement against the corruption is believed to be the biggest that aims for a corruption free India. Everybody, every political parties, and people of the country know the country suffered a lot and lost significant growth pace due to corruption in every field.

Dreaming for corruption free India, a noble cause that one will support without any hesitation. Corruption is based in the roots, those need big-push treatment to root out. A movement or peoples movement has every potential to erode corruption from India.

The recent declaration of election dates for five states assembly election will give some advantage to the corruption free India. I hope at least, the corruption will be core issue in the assembly election in the five states in the new year.

There is consensus among people and parties for a corruption free India. And this time, people and voters will back the concept to make India corruption free country while franchising their votes. And corruption will also be getting place in the most of the political parties' manifestos. 

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Winter Session: Both the Houses Adjourned

 Political News: As expected, the Winter Session convened on Tuesday and also adjourned till Wednesday following the chaos over many issues in the house. Major issue has been the price rise or inflation, which is not under control. And the UPA government will face many question from the respected Member of Parliaments over this issue.

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